National Park Service Capitol Reef U.S. Department of the Interior Capitol Reef National Park

Spring Canyon Spring Canyon is deep and narrow with towering Wingate cliffs and Navajo domes. It originates on the shoulder of Thousand Lakes Mountain and extends to the Fremont River. The route is marked with rock cairns and signs in some places, but many sections are unmarked and car- rying a topographic map and GPS unit is recommended. It is extremely hot in summer, and the only usually reliable water source is at the spring in Upper Spring Canyon, 1.5 miles (2.41 km) west of the junction with Chimney Rock Canyon. Use caution in narrow canyons particular- ly during the flash flood season (typically July–September). The canyon route is divided into Upper and Lower Spring Canyon sections. It can be accessed midway via Chimney Rock Canyon. The entire canyon is best done as a three- to four-day trip. Upper Spring Canyon is a good two- to three- day trip, while Lower Spring Canyon can be done as an overnight or long day hike. Backcountry permits are required for all overnight trips and can be obtained at the visitor center.

Location of Trailheads 1. Upper end of Spring Canyon: Holt Draw, which is a dirt track on the right (north) side of Hwy 24, 0.9 miles (1.44 km) west of the park boundary and 7.2 miles (11.59 km) west of the visitor center. The road is closed to vehicle traf- fic beyond the gate at the forest service boundary near Hwy 24. 2. Midway, for access to the lower end of Upper Spring Canyon and to the upper end of Lower Spring Canyon: The Chimney Rock trailhead, located 3.2 miles (5.15 km) west of the visitor center on Hwy 24. 3. Lower end of Spring Canyon: Across the Fremont River 3.6 miles (5.79 km) east of the visitor center on Hwy 24 (just east of mile marker 83). Look for unmarked parking areas on both sides of the highway. Chimney Rock trailhead

Mileages • Upper Spring Canyon from Holt Draw to Chimney Rock parking area...... 18 miles (28.98 km) • Upper Spring Canyon from Holt Draw to Chimney Rock Canyon and back to Holt Draw via Hwy 24...... 22 miles (35.42 km) • Lower Spring Canyon from Chimney Rock parking area to the Fremont River and Hwy 24...... 9 miles (14.49 km) • Lower Spring Canyon from Chimney Rock parking area and back to Chimney Rock parking area via Hwy 24...... 16 miles (25.76 km) • Upper and Lower Spring Canyon from Holt Draw to the Fremont River and Hwy 24...... 22 miles (35.42 km) • Upper and Lower Spring Canyon from Holt Draw and back to Holt Draw via Hwy 24...... 33miles (53.13 km) • Access to Spring Canyon from Chimney Rock parking area via Chimney Rock Canyon...... 2.5 miles (4.02 km) Upper Spring Canyon Upper Spring Canyon is a strenuous hike of sparsely marked with rock cairns. Climb the Hike Description approximately 18 miles (28.98 km) from Holt talus slope up the left (west) cleft of the “W” to Draw to Chimney Rock. Route finding skills pass easily through the Wingate, then follow the and the ability to read and use a topographic steep gully down into Spring Canyon. The route map are necessary. Only experienced canyon through the “W” is easy and does not require country hikers should attempt this route. To ropes or climbing. reach Upper Spring Canyon, park at the gate Once you reach the drainage in Spring Canyon and follow the old Holt Draw Road until it at UTM coordinates 0464499mE, 4245647mN, ends near Sulphur Creek, approximately continue downstream (east). In approximately 1.5 miles (2.41 km) from Hwy 24. Here you one mile (1.61 km), you will encounter a pour will find a horse trail angling north toward Sul- off which can be bypassed on either side of the phur Creek. Follow this trail a short distance canyon; follow the canyon rim and you will find to the creek then walk upstream in the creek several places where you can climb back down to bed approximately three miles (4.83 km). This the canyon bottom. A large side canyon joins the main drainage on the left (north) after another should take 1¼ to 1½ hours. Here, at UTM mile (1.61 km). From this point on the route coordinates 0463757mE, 4244743mN, the red has no distinctive landmarks until you reach the Wingate cliff will tower directly over you, and spring, approximately eight miles (12.88 km) there is a small drainage on the right (north- down canyon. The spring is marked by large cot- east) side of the wash that may be marked with tonwood trees growing in an alcove on the left rock cairns. Follow this drainage, and climb (north) side of the canyon. Please use this water a low rib approximately 0.3 mile (0.48 km) to sparingly and do not pollute it with soaps or bathe a bench above the wash; you will be on the in it. Camp a minimum of 300 feet (91.50 m) away soft, gray-green Chinle Formation below the from the spring area. Wingate cliffs. There is a USGS brass marker From the spring, the junction of Chimney Rock nearby, marking the four-corner meeting point Canyon is 1.5 miles (2.41 km) downstream. At this of sections S24, S25, S19, and S30. Follow the point you can continue down canyon 6.5 miles bench in an easterly direction around two (10.46 km) through Lower Spring Canyon to the prominent points in the Wingate cliff. As you Fremont River or you can exit via Chimney Rock round this point, you will see two deep clefts Canyon to the Chimney Rock parking area. If you cutting down through the Wingate wall at the left a vehicle at the parking area, your hike will top of the talus slope ahead. This is the “W” at end here. If you left your vehicle at the Holt Draw UTM coordinates 0464424mE, 4245349mN. gate, hike right (west) along Hwy 24 for four miles (6.44 km) to your starting point. The distance from the bed of Sulphur Creek to the “W” is about one mile (1.61 km) and is

Lower Spring Canyon Lower Spring Canyon is a strenuous Fremont River. Approximately one mile Hike Description nine-mile (14.49 km) hike from the (1.61 km) down canyon, you will encounter a Chimney Rock parking area to the short section of narrows with two 10–15 foot Fremont River. The hike can be done in (3.05–4.57 m) dry falls. The two dry falls can the opposite direction, hiking up the canyon be bypassed by following a hiker-made route from the river. To do this, park at the pull-out on the left (north) side of the canyon. The on Hwy 24 approximately 3.6 miles (5.79 km) bypass route is extremely narrow and has east of the visitor center and walk across the steep, loose sections with severe exposure. road and several hundred feet downstream to Use caution, especially if wet, snowy, or icy find the mouth of the canyon. From the conditions exist. Chimney Rock parking area, follow the Below the dry falls, continue down canyon Chimney Rock Trail to the top of the switch- approximately five miles (8.05 km) to the backs. Take the left (more northerly or east- river. The river level varies but is normally bound) side of the loop trail and follow it one about thigh deep and can be difficult to ford. mile (1.61 km) to Chimney Rock Canyon, Use caution if flood conditions are present which is marked with a sign to Spring Canyon. as they will produce swift, deep water and Walk down Chimney Rock Canyon 1.5 miles floating debris. If you left a vehicle at the (2.41 km) to Spring Canyon. While in Chim- pull-out on Hwy 24, it will be located a short ney Rock Canyon, three large side canyons distance upstream from the point you exit the will join the main drainage on the left (west). canyon. If you left your vehicle at the Chimney When you reach the junction of Spring Rock parking area, hike right (west) along Canyon, continue downstream (straight/east) Hwy 24 for seven miles (11.27 km) to your to access Lower Spring Canyon. From the starting point. junction it is 6.5 miles (10.46 km) to the

Additional Information Maps: USGS 7.5 Minute Series: Twin Rocks and Fruita Quads Available at the visitor center

Best Seasons: Spring and fall

For more information and backcountry permits, contact Capitol Reef Nation Park Visitor Center at 435-425-4111

EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA™ 09/11